Sillar Route Arequipa

1.- INTRODUCTION TO THE SILLAR ROUTE

The Sillar Route Arequipa is considered as a natural experience and unique tourist destination in its kind because it allows world travelers to know one of the most ancestral and at the same time traditional activities that can exist within the region of Arequipa, the process of extraction and use of the ashlar mineral. During your tour at the Sillar Route in Arequipa allows you to take a closer look at the white volcanic stone that has undoubtedly been considered a fundamental element of the architecture and cultural identity of the white city. In fact this is the precise reason why the city of Arequipa is also known as the white city since this mineral is the main one used in the construction of many of its buildings, thanks to its volcanic origin it is characterized by a white color and porous texture which makes it the ideal element to carry out constructions.

2.- What is sillar?

During the Sillar Route in Arequipa you can get to know more details about the ashlar, that volcanic stone is mainly formed by consolidating ash and lava emanating from active volcanoes to this day around the city of Arequipa. The main characteristic of course is the white color and the lightness that it possesses which gives it a manipulable texture making it the main element in the constructions of the city as colonial buildings. On the other hand, it also possesses resistant and durable characteristics that have made it one of the most essential minerals in Arequipa’s architecture, where historical constructions such as the city’s cathedral, Santa Catalina monastery and even the mint stand out.

3.- Cultural Importance

Thanks to the Arequipa Sillar Route it is now known that this that this mineral contains benefits far beyond just architectural, in a cultural aspect it has come to obtain a position of identity for all people living in the city, since in this way reflects the history and of course the relationship that exists with the natural environment. This is not only because of the practical and easy use due to the characteristics of the ashlar but also because it allows the creation of unique urban landscapes of its kind. There is no doubt that the Sillar Route Arequipa can also be seen as a window to the past and shows how the first inhabitants of this region were able to take advantage of these resources that were at their disposal to be able to eventually create buildings that had outstanding aesthetic aspects but also an innate functionality. By living the experience of the Sillar Route Arequipa you can also get to know the traditional techniques that exist on the extraction and carving which to this day are considered as part of the cultural heritage that is preserved over generations allowing this way the “silleros” can still maintain their cultural traditions.

4.- History of extraction

What we know today as the Sillar Route Arequipa has a pre-Hispanic origin in which it was used in a rustic way by the abundance that existed, however the use of large scale was consolidated in a more remarkable way during the colonial time this was a turning point for the people who inhabited this place since they used these volcanic stones in a generic way however with the arrival of the Spanish began the process of construction of buildings with huge dimensions using mainly the mineral of the ashlar essentially for religious purposes such as churches and monasteries. This practice was extended for several centuries, so that the extraction and molding activities of the ashlar were becoming fundamental activities of the Arequipa economy and thus turning the white city into a center of colonial architecture that to this day is considered one of the most important.

The technique used for the extraction today during the Sillar Route Arequipa is almost the same as the one that once existed, currently there are many quarries where you can find the ashlar among them is Añashuayco, this is still being exploited in an artisanal way by people who use traditional techniques inherited culturally.

5.- PLANNING YOUR VISIT TO THE SILLAR ROUTE

There is no doubt that the Arequipa Sillar Route is a special and unique experience to allow world travelers to immerse themselves in the history, culture and above all the origin of the architecture of the popular white city. There are many options to optimize your travel satisfaction for this reason it is important to take some considerations in advance in order to achieve it.

6.- Best time to visit

Thousands of world travelers say that the best time of the year to enjoy the experience of the Sillar Route Arequipa is undoubtedly between May and October, also considered as dry season and is the time of the damage where you can delight a dry environment and sunny days. Mainly the season is characterized by low rainfall and most days contain very pleasant temperatures, this helps the tour experience be comfortable and does not include setbacks, this option is ideal for those looking for a free tour of the sillar quarries.

7.- How to get to the Sillar Route Arequipa?

• The first alternative is considered one of the most popular and recommended, join a group to get a guided tour or do it privately. Both alternatives make use of tour operators in the region that provide this type of experience to the Arequipa Sillar Route, organizing the important details such as transportation, guide, income and other amenities allow the visit to be special and at the same time enriching because you have the company of a professional guide who will give you information about the history and cultural importance of the ashlar until today.
• On the other hand, there is also the alternative of renting a private vehicle that will allow you to reach the Sillar Route Arequipa at your own pace. This road is quite simple since all the quarries that make up the Sillar Route Arequipa are located approximately 30 minutes from the city of Arequipa, specifically located within the rural area known as Socabaya, having a quiet and easy access road is recommended for many travelers who have the availability to rent a transport privately.

8.- Important information about the Sillar Route Arequipa

9.- Recommendations for your visit to the Sillar Route Arequipa

• The most important thing is that you consider comfortable clothing, the experience takes place outdoors so it is ideal to wear light and loose clothing so you do not have problems when sweating, on the other hand remember that the sun is always present for this reason carry important elements for your protection as sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and if possible a long-sleeved shirt.
• There are certain stretches where you must walk so the shoe should always be comfortable and resistant at the same time, you may feel that the quarries have quite irregular geographical spaces so it is recommended that any shoe chosen has a good grip on the base.
• For those who are fond of photography, take all the equipment you can carry, it is important that you understand more about the destination since the contrast that is found due to the ashlar and volcanic landscape gives the opportunity to obtain unique images.
• It is never a bad idea to bring a portion of water and snacks for the trip since being a remote place the options you will find are always limited.

10.- The Complete Sillar Route Experience

For those who are looking to learn more about the origin and the heart of the history of the city of Arequipa in an architectural sense, the experience of the Sillar Route Arequipa is something not to be missed. This experience also provides an in-depth look at the process of obtaining, carving and undoubtedly exploiting the ashlar mineral.

11.- Main quarries

11.1.- Añashuayco Quarry

Known as one of the main quarries to be visited during the Arequipa Sillar Route experience, it is located just a few minutes from the city of Arequipa and historically speaking is one of the oldest and most traditional quarries that exists for obtaining this mineral. It is mainly recognized by the impressive rock formations that can be appreciated even from far away. In this place it is easy to appreciate how the people known as “Silleros” work in an artisanal way in which they use traditional detailed techniques and styles inherited by generations. It is common to appreciate also that in the landscape that this quarry shows us to find columns made of chair and enormous blocks of stone that at first sight are appreciated as they emerge from the earth.

11.2.- Quarry of culebrillas

Considered as another important point of the Sillar Route Arequipa, it is located in the sector known as Socabaya and mainly stands out from other quarries because of the quality of the ashlar and because it contains labyrinths made of tunnels caused by the rock formations in the place. When visiting this quarry, travelers can enjoy appreciating the different moments and stages of extraction of the ashlar. Starting from the perforations and arriving also until the obtaining of the great blocks of stone, the environment that it offers simply is impressive and at first sight it reflects the connection that exists between the human being and nature.

11.3.- Añashuayco Canyon

There is no doubt that this place is one of the most visited and visited by its particular shape, created based on a geological formation Añashuayco Canyon is one of the places where you can find huge walls of volcanic rock that are also considered as a quarry as they are sources from which this material is obtained, however it also stands out for the natural beauty that presents unlike others, There is no doubt that it is the perfect place for those who are looking to learn about the most natural and traditional extraction process since ancient times, it also allows you to get a panoramic view of all the quarries and the existing volcanic environment.

11.4.- Demonstration areas

Throughout the Sillar Route Arequipa, each of the participants will have the opportunity to appreciate in detail how the ashlar is extracted in a traditional and artisanal way, there are areas called as demonstration of stone extraction where local workers recreate a presentation to provide information to visitors of how is the process of cutting and extraction of the huge blocks obtained. During this presentation you can see the skill of all the “silleros” who use traditional tools and in this way manage to drill the volcanic rock so that it can be released from the matrix and finally obtain the smaller blocks that are carved and finally used in the constructions.

In this way visitors can understand how since ancestral and pre-Hispanic times the people who once existed in this region have managed to take advantage of the natural resource that is within their reach to create unique architectures of its kind, although there have been attempts to integrate new technologies for extraction, the reality is that the ancient technique remains in force and when visiting the quarries all visitors can appreciate it in a special way.

12.- WORLD RECOGNITION

“The white city of Arequipa has its particular name due to the fact that many of the historical and colonial constructions are based on the ashlar mineral. Thanks to this, UNESCO has declared it as a world heritage site, being considered as a reference of colonial architecture in history.”

Click here to learn more

13.- FAQs ABOUT THE SILLAR ROUTE IN AREQUIPA

• How far is the Sillar Route from Arequipa city center?

Relatively close, the Sillar Route Arequipa is located 30 minutes by car from the historic center of the city of Arequipa. Specifically, it is necessary to get to the district of Socabaya.

• Do I need a guide to visit the Sillar quarries?

It is not mandatory but it is highly recommended, having a tour guide with you allows you to get detailed and exclusive information about the history as well as the extraction method and detailed process so you can understand it in a unique way.

• How much time should I allocate for visiting the Sillar Route?

The average time of visit is 2 or 3 hours depending on the pace you have at the time of starting the hiking trails, naturally this time already considers the visit, demonstrations and other integrated activities.

• Is the Sillar Route suitable for children?

Yes, the difficulty is quite low so that children over five or six years are already in the disposition to enjoy it without problem, of course you always have to take precautions and care because the terrain is uneven and you should always be aware of the actions of the little ones.

• What is the best time of day to photograph the white quarries?

For those who are passionate about photography, there is no doubt that the best time of the day is during the early hours or at sunset where thanks to the golden moment of the sun’s rays, the ashlar environment takes on a peculiar color that makes it unique and magical.

• Can I buy ashlar crafts directly from artisans at the quarries?

Yes, in fact this practice is an efficient way to contribute with the artisan work that is elaborated inside the quarries, those small stands offer souvenirs made mainly with the ashlar.

• Is it possible to see the stonecutters working during the visit?

Yes, part of the experience of the Sillar Route Arequipa is to be able to appreciate how the Silleros, who work in an artisanal way inside the quarries, still exist today.

• How difficult is the terrain at the Sillar quarries?

Remember that the terrain is quite uneven and has some places where there are slopes, although it is not considered a demanding or difficult activity, it is better to take your time and do it calmly.

The white city adventure is about to begin and you definitely cannot miss the opportunity to experience the Sillar Route Arequipa. Auri Peru can design an incredible experience just for you, contact us now and together we will design a new personalized adventure.

“Not all who wander are lost.”